CountyScore

Lincoln County

North Carolina · NC

#33 in North Carolina
69
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, North Carolina

Lincoln Outperforms National Livability Standard

Lincoln County's composite score of 74.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 48%, signaling strong livability across measured dimensions. This commanding advantage places Lincoln well above average among U.S. counties.

Above Average for North Carolina

Lincoln's 74.0 score sits above the state average composite score of 72.7, positioning it in the upper tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. The county demonstrates above-average performance statewide.

Low Taxes and Solid Income Levels

Lincoln's tax score of 85.6 reflects one of the state's lowest effective tax rates at 0.594%, maximizing residents' take-home pay. Combined with an income score of 34.6 and median household income of $78,490, the county offers strong earning capacity with minimal fiscal burden.

Housing Costs Climb, Data Gaps Remain

Lincoln's cost score of 75.1 masks median home values of $279,500 and rent of $977/month—among the highest in this dataset. Critical information about schools, safety, health, and environmental risks remains unavailable.

Ideal for Professionals and Upper-Middle Income

Lincoln County suits professionals and established families with solid incomes seeking low-tax environments and stable housing markets. The county's profile appeals to those balancing comfort and value without budget constraints.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax85.6Cost75.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.6Risk26.2WaterComing Soon
🏛85.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Lincoln County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Murray County
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69
Median income: $67,880
Treutlen County
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69
Median income: $43,750
Johnson County
Illinois
69
Median income: $65,203
Boone County
Indiana
69
Median income: $104,865
Grant County
Kansas
69
Median income: $72,484

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County offers below-average taxation

At 0.594%, Lincoln County's effective tax rate sits in the bottom 40% nationally, offering homeowners relief compared to U.S. norms. Residents pay a median $1,660 annually—38% below the national median of $2,690—on homes valued very near the national average of $281,900.

Lincoln ranks as North Carolina's lowest-tax

Lincoln County's effective rate of 0.594% sits nearly 0.11 percentage points below the state average of 0.701%, placing it among North Carolina's most tax-friendly counties. Annual property taxes of $1,660 fall roughly 16% below the state median of $1,433.

Lincoln offers strong regional tax advantage

Lincoln's 0.594% rate outperforms most Piedmont peers, falling only slightly above Jackson County (0.369%) while significantly undercutting Johnston County (0.688%) and Lee County (0.798%). For comparable home values, Lincoln residents enjoy substantially lower annual tax bills.

Lincoln homeowners benefit from low rates

The median Lincoln County home valued at $279,500 generates an annual property tax of $1,660. With mortgage-related assessments, some households reach $1,798, but Lincoln's favorable rate ensures homeowners pay well below state and national norms.

Lincoln homeowners should verify assessments

Even in a tax-friendly county, overassessment occurs regularly. Reviewing your property's assessed value against recent comparable sales and filing an appeal if necessary could provide additional savings on an already-modest tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln leads the state in affordability balance

Lincoln renters spend just 14.9% of income on housing—well below the national median of 18.6%—while earning a median household income of $78,490 that exceeds the national average of $74,755. This rare combination creates one of the nation's most favorable affordability environments.

Lincoln ranks among the state's best values

Lincoln's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio places it near the top of North Carolina's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 18.6% by a substantial margin. Strong incomes combined with moderate $977 rents deliver financial flexibility across the county.

Lincoln outaffordability most nearby counties decisively

Lincoln's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio beats all nearby competitors except Johnston County (15.1%), placing it second-best in the region. The combination of good incomes and reasonable rents makes Lincoln one of the region's safest housing markets.

Strong income supports both housing options

Lincoln renters pay $977 monthly while homeowners pay $1,023 on a median income of $78,490, with median home values of $279,500 remaining accessible. Both housing options consume well under 20% of income, allowing residents substantial financial latitude.

Lincoln delivers prosperity with affordability

If you want to relocate somewhere that balances affordable housing with strong incomes, Lincoln County ranks among your best North Carolina options. The combination of reasonable rents, manageable home prices, and solid job-market wages makes it an ideal choice for families prioritizing financial stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County tops national income benchmarks

Lincoln County's median household income of $78,490 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $3,735, placing it in the nation's upper quartile. This 5% advantage signals strong local earning power and diverse employment.

One of North Carolina's most prosperous counties

Lincoln County's $78,490 median income runs 28% above North Carolina's state average of $61,072, positioning it among the state's elite earning counties. Per capita income of $42,170 also exceeds the state average of $33,920 by 24%.

Lincoln County rivals Iredell in wealth

Lincoln County's $78,490 median income nearly matches Iredell County ($78,678) and trails Johnston County ($79,838) by just $1,348, forming a triumvirate of high-income North Carolina counties. Together, these three counties represent the state's strongest economic base.

Excellent housing affordability in Lincoln

Lincoln County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best, indicating strong housing stability for renters and homebuyers. Median home values of $279,500 align well with household incomes, supporting sustainable property ownership and equity accumulation.

Lincoln County: prime wealth-building opportunity

Lincoln County residents enjoy one of North Carolina's strongest income foundations, enabling aggressive wealth strategies through diversified investments and real estate appreciation. Tax-advantaged accounts, index fund portfolios, and property ownership should form the core of long-term plans.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Living longer, managing chronic disease

Lincoln County residents reach 76.2 years on average, exceeding the U.S. life expectancy of 74.6 years by 1.6 years. With 17.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county demonstrates solid health outcomes despite some chronic disease burden.

Outperforming state benchmarks

At 76.2 years, Lincoln's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's 74.4-year average by 1.8 years. The county ranks among the state's healthier regions, with a 17.2% poor/fair health rate suggesting well-managed chronic disease.

Among region's healthiest counties

Lincoln's 76.2-year life expectancy ranks second only to Iredell (76.5) among nearby counties. At 17.2% poor/fair health, Lincoln sits comfortably in the healthier half of its peer group.

Strong coverage; moderate provider capacity

Lincoln's uninsured rate of 10.3% sits below the state average of 12.5%, meaning more residents have access to care. The county supports 44 primary care providers and 87 mental health providers per 100,000—moderate capacity that serves most but not all residents needing specialists.

Maintain your coverage momentum

Lincoln County's strong health outcomes rest on good insurance coverage—keep it that way. If you're among the 1 in 10 uninsured, visit the Health Insurance Marketplace to find affordable plans today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County's risk exceeds the U.S. average

Lincoln County scores 73.76 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average. The score reflects substantial exposure to floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes, positioning Lincoln as a higher-hazard county in regional and national context.

Lincoln ranks above the North Carolina average

At 73.76, Lincoln County's composite score exceeds the state average of 66.72, placing it in the upper-middle range of North Carolina counties for natural disaster risk. The county's elevated profile reflects concentrated threats in flood and tornado hazards.

Lincoln shares risk patterns with Iredell County

Lincoln (73.76) and Iredell County (80.79) face similar flood risks—83.24 and 86.64, respectively—and comparable tornado exposure around 78–86. Both are part of a contiguous Piedmont region with shared water and wind vulnerabilities.

Floods and tornadoes pose major threats to Lincoln

Flood risk ranks highest at 83.24, followed closely by tornado risk at 78.44, both well above state norms and reflecting Lincoln's Piedmont geography. Earthquake risk also reaches 77.48, while wildfire risk remains relatively modest at 37.85.

Flood and wind coverage should be your priority

Lincoln residents should purchase homeowners insurance that explicitly includes flood damage coverage and wind/hail protection, given the county's elevated flood and tornado scores. Test your smoke alarms, update your emergency contact list, and familiarize your family with your local tornado safe room.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.